Swarthmore College campus attack being probed

SWARTHMORE -- A Swarthmore College student and his male friend were punched, kicked and stomped by a group of teens in a campus attack over the weekend that a college official cautioned may have been spurred by homophobia.

H. Elizabeth Braun, dean of students, wrote a letter Tuesday to the college community saying both victims are OK after being treated for their injuries, both on campus and later at the hospital.

"I am writing both out of concern for the victims and campus safety and because I have been made aware of some additional facts and corrections since the initial (public safety) alert went out that I want to share with you," she stated.

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Braun indicated the Swarthmore student and his friend were on Mertz Field early Sunday when they were assaulted by a group of five males and one female. The initial alert indicated the attack happened when the college males were on Magill walk, near the train tracks, and were met by four males and one female.

"Our student has also shared that he and his friend were being affectionate with one another when they were approached by the high school-aged students. While it still isn't clear what prompted the assault on our student and his friend, it does appear that homophobia could have been a factor in the attack," Braun wrote. "I know that you share my distress and concern that any type of physical assault would take place on our campus, particularly one that may have been motivated by hate. I know that you will join me in condemning this act of violence on our campus and I appreciate that many of you have already expressed your concern to me."

The officer who responded to the scene had no reason to suspect homophobia as a possible catalyst for the assault, Chief Brian Craig said Tuesday night. "The first I heard of that was this morning."

Craig said separate reports were taken by campus security and police, shortly after the about 12:30 a.m. Sunday incident.

"There was no mention of homophobia," Craig said, adding that such an attack "would be out of character for this community."

According to Craig, police suspected the Swarthmore College student and his friend, visiting from the University of Pennsylvania, probably angered a group of high school-aged youth who had asked them for booze.

"Were they ville rats?" Craig said one of the college males wanted to know, referring to youth who live in the town and do not belong on campus.

"Apparently the crowd jumped on them," Craig said, noting that one of the college males was jumped from behind.

Both college males were treated at Springfield Hospital for injuries that Craig described as mostly abrasions, no bleeding cuts.

Police were initially dispatched to the college health center.

Craig, who was at home and did not have a copy of the report available, said the college males might have been walking "arm in arm" when four males and one female first approached them.

"What little I know about these type of incidents, if it centered about homophobia, there are usually comments made," Craig said. "If any comments were made, it was not reported to us at that time."

Craig said about 30 minutes prior to the attack, four males and a female were turned away from a fraternity. They were described as two white males, two Indian males and a female.

"I was happy to hear that someone was questioning whether or not they belonged there, and that they were asked to leave," Craig said.

Braun indicated Owen Redgrave, director of public safety, and his office, in cooperation with Swarthmore police, will continue to investigate the incident "and do all that they can do find the perpetrators of this frightening and upsetting crime."

Both males have received support from Health Services, Public Safety and the Dean's Office.

"I had the opportunity to meet with our student (Monday) night and while he is shaken by what happened, he is grateful for the support he has received from the community, and mostly wants to encourage all students to continue to look out for their personal safety at all times, both on and off campus," Braun stated.